Mumbai, August 30, 2024: Respiratory diseases among children in Maharashtra continue to be notably prevalent. Conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia not only affect the well-being of these young individuals but also impose significant pressure on their families and on healthcare facilities.
Globally, Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) (predominantly pneumonia) have a 20% of mortality among children <5 years old. If neonatal pneumonia is also considered, the mortality increases to 35–40% among under-five children, accounting for 2.04 million deaths per year[1]. According to the data from the Public Health Department, in the last two months of 2023, Maharashtra saw 1.9K cases of acute respiratory infections across its 17 sentinel sites, of which nearly 40% required hospitalization.[2]
According to Global Burden of Disease (GBD, 1990–2021), as of 2021, 395,504 children aged 2-9 years, and 490,729 aged 10-19 years suffer from Asthma. 31,763 teenagers and young adults aged 15 to 19 years i.e. those in the most important school years suffer from COPD. [3]
These statistics underscore the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for effective interventions.
Beyond the immediate health implications, respiratory diseases can have long-term consequences for children’s growth, development, and educational outcomes. Chronic respiratory conditions can lead to absenteeism from school, affecting academic performance and social interactions. Their developing immune systems and the tendency to play outdoors can expose them to conditions that can trigger or worsen respiratory issues. Common ailments include nasal congestion, influenza, and an increase in asthma attacks due to the high levels of humidity and allergens.
In the face of these challenges, nebulizers emerge as a critical tool for managing respiratory conditions during the monsoon. These devices convert liquid medication (prescribed by doctors) into a fine mist, allowing for direct and efficient delivery to the lungs. This method of administration is especially beneficial for children and individuals who may have difficulty using inhalers.
OMRON Healthcare India, a leading provider of home health monitoring devices, has a broad range of nebulizers for efficient medication delivery to take care of respiratory problems and improve disease management especially in children. Nebulizers, owing to the precision in quick delivery of lung medication, can play an important role in managing respiratory ailments like Asthma & COPD etc.
Mr. Tetsuya Yamada, Managing Director, OMRON Healthcare India said, “Due to severe air pollution and other factors, the number of asthma patients as of 2021 was 31.8 million, and COPD patients were 36.1 million, totalling to approximately 68 million individuals affected by these conditions. Additionally, the death toll from Asthma in 1990 was 120,552, which increased to 203,037 by 2021 and deaths related to COPD, have increased substantially, from 421,811 in 1990 to 1,081,093 in 2021[4].” He further added, “With high-quality devices like nebulizers and their delivering precision, accuracy, and convenience, OMRON aims to empower families to create a world where there is minimal incidence of breathing disorders in congruence with our “Going for Zero” mission.
